First Time Here ...... So Many Questions (sorry)

[Chockswahay]

Hello everyone, I wonder if any one can offer any advice/warning/cautions etc please

We would like to buy a T6 but not sure where to start. We did own a 6m Fiat Ducato Globecar for 3 years which was lovely but a bit 'lardy', however it was a fully capable tourer with all home comforts so our problem is getting used to 'less is more'!

Having looked at the California's (both) they are too much for us at the moment (we think)

Quite fancied the Kombi and doing a DIY conversion....... then realised we would be buying a lot of what we don't need for a lot more money!

So ............. now thinking about a 'stock' panel van and starting from there.

The brief then .............

102 manual Trendline with tailgate up to one yr old, remove bulkhead if fitted, fit swivel to double seat, fit one or 2 windows, insulate and line ............ then just try it for a few months and see how it works.

Initially we would use a Futon or blow up mattress and our previous camping stove etc for cooking. Then hopefully add/modify as we go along.

Only the two of us so no R&R bed required. We want to keep it minimal and be still able to use it as a 'proper' van if need be. We would intend to use the van often for up to two weeks at a time and for weekends.

The list of questions??

102 powerful enough? (don't drive fast)
Van or Kombi?
Manual or Auto?
White or colour?
Tailgate or Barn?
Startline, Trendline or go mad and have Highline?
Practical to have a PortaPotti?
This could go on and on and on ...........................

To be honest I can't really list all my thoughts as you will lose the will to live! But if you have got this far and wish to comment I would very much appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers

 

[Pauly]

My thoughts (in brief)
102 powerful enough? (don't drive fast) - depends how fast you want to go, more than enough if you arent going to load it as a full blown camper and you can always get ti remapped for a few extra horses if reqd
Van or Kombi? I would say van if you have no need for the rear seats/seatbelts, kombi will need seats taking out (but have value to sell on) but van will need rear windows added
Manual or Auto? Personal preference, for me if its used for long trips/going away i wold go DSG (which is what i have now) but if its a daily around town vehicle i would go manual
White or colour? Personal preference again but think colours are a bit more interesting, differentiates you from builders vans and possibly better resale value
Tailgate or Barn? For a camper tailgate everytime for me, for a day to day van barn doors are more practical
Startline, Trendline or go mad and have Highline? Look at the spec of each and decide what features you actually need, i think highline offers good value for the extra price as gets you factory alarm/aircon/heated screen etc
Practical to have a PortaPotti? ?????????????????

 

[Davenjo]

Hello and welcome.

Answers as above. Our "off the peg" converted van came with a Porta Potti - the first thing we did was take it out to free up some storage and it has lived, unused, in the shed ever since. Depends if you intend wild camping or sites - we tend to use sites so not an issue for us and we just keep a multi functional collapsible bucket to hand for emergency use instead lol

 

[Chockswahay]

Thank you chaps I suppose I already 'know' most of the answers to my questions, I just need someone to approve them haha.

Actually, re reading them, I realise I am probably asking everyone else to solve my own problems (!) but what I wanted to do is at least provoke thought and discussion. I get show room fever in a VW dealer and then reading on these forums I become convinced it's the only way to go! I want to limit my spend (loss?) in case it turns out to be a mistake......... but therein lies the problem, buy the wrong one now and I might not be giving us a fair chance.

Still, please do come with any more thoughts anyone. Well, that's enough vee dubbyer stuff for now, I gotta go to work

Cheers

 

[Chopman]

Some of my thoughts - I went through a similar process 12-18 months ago.

We knew we wanted our 'end spec" to have 2 front single seats, aircon, windows and would prefer a tailgate.
So I worked out what those would cost to retro fit and factored that in when shopping for my donor van. Turned out that a single passenger seat was a big cost issue - much harder to retro fit than I expected.

Equally, I didn't really want white, but found out that I could get a half-wrap for about £800-£1200 so if I found a white one cheap, that was an option.

We ended up with a silver Kombi Highline and I sold the rear seat and floor which gave us some money back and meant I didn't need to pay for the windows and single passenger seat. Added bonus of the kombi is the strengthening in the floor and seatbelt mounting points already fitted.

Engine wise we went with a 140 Euro5 which comes with the 6 speed box. The 102 would probably have been fine TBH.

 

[Nigel W]

We downsized from a motorhone as well but we really struggled with the standard van as the floor space when the bed is made up is non existent so we upgraded to a LWB, I would suggest you seriously consider this option.

 

[JaySal]

I bought a white 102 lwb t30 panel van with tailgate...

White was cheaper and I wrapped the bottom half so happy with it now. I’m glad I had to fit the windows as I like the idea of being involved in the conversion. Trust me when I say if I can do it a chimp can. I’ve had DSG in my last 2 cars and I prefer manual and the trend line came with cruise so once over 50 I just use the buttons on the stalk anyhow.

102 bhp.. I had Pendle remap taking it to 170 bhp as it’s the same engine through the range. I also fitted the double swivel but have removed this week to fit an interior from an Audi A6 just cause I like my creature comforts. If I was to buy again I’d get the high line for the heated front screen and multifunction steering wheel but apart from that I’m a happy little piggy. The beauty of a panel van is it’s a blank canvas.

 

[Chockswahay]

Well a good few idea's there, thanks guys

 

[delboy_trotter]

I bought a 2 year old white 102 lwb t30 panel van with barn doors in trendline spec (with a few options ticked)

Is 102 bhp enough - for me yes, it keeps up with traffic no worries and if i need a few more bhp once the convertion is done i'll get it re-mapped for 140/150 ish, but tbh for me its just as much about the journey in the van

I've gone down the self-convert route, only thing i paid for was the windows (sides and barndoor) to be put in, but everything else is DIY - i'm not ashamed to admit where possible i've bought kits of parts so i have everything i need, but 4 weekends has taken me from a vw lined rear with windows to a carpeted/lined/electrics run/floored and headlined van still some little bits to finish, but im stalled at the moment waiting for delivery of the evo-design unit, but i have a useable van, chuck the camp bed and stuff in and im away

 

[Phil_G]

102 powerful enough? (don't drive fast)

Mines only 84ps, its fine. It cruises at motorway speeds with barely any pressure on the throttle,
its nippy enough round town, its not noisy and its really economical. So I'd say 102 will be perfectly ok
I can see how some might like a sporty 'A-Team' van, but in a camper you dont want to be doing 200mph
with pots & pans flailing everywhere on ever corner!